Wednesday, January 28, 2009

I made a Valentine Wall Hanging! It is so pretty and sparkly!! This is what I am going to give every Sale-a-bration hostess in February who have scheduled home workshops with me. I think I will play a bit with the image in the label accent piece, maybe just a heart or the I (heart) U image from the Happy Heart stamp set, that way it can be displayed even into March!

Here's a close-up of the pendant. This is the second hat pin that I've used in the last month . . . Mary would be so proud of me! lol! Prior to that - maybe one in the last two years? Yes, I'm hat pin challenged!

Here is the closeup of the heart - you can really see the sparkles on this picture. Doesn't it make you want to book a workshop right now? lol!

Alas, I must give credit where credit it due. This is an idea that I saw on Dawn's blog called DOstamping With Dawn. I often cruise by her blog for project and class ideas and this was one that I had to create as soon as I saw it!! Thanks, Dawn! You can follow the link to the project right HERE. The original artist is Terri Gaines.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Look at all that luscious paper! Don't you wish you could have it all? So do I! That is why I am putting together a Designer Series Paper Share! It will be the PERFECT way for you to get a 6x6 sample of every paper from every pack as shown above and in our Spring/Summer catalog. That's 96 sheets of double-sided designer series paper and 24 sheets of double-sided textured designer series paper. (Yes, I said "textured!" I just can't WAIT to experience this new fabulous edition to our line!)

Doesn't 120 sheets of 6x6 paper in all those fabulous SU colors sound divine? Well the price is sweet, too. Only $28!! To purchase each pack separately would be over $240 once all the taxes, S&H is added in.

If you are interested in joining my Perfect Paper Share, please E-mail me. If you are not local, I will send you a link to my Pay Pal so that you can make your payment easily. If you need me to mail your paper to you after I have divided it all out, there will be an additional $5 Priority Shipping Charge for a total of $33.

Let me know if you want to be IN on the Perfect Paper Share!! And, if you are a true paper addict, sign up for two spots and get two samples from each paper pack! Oh, yeah . . . this will be fun!

The Perfect Paper Share is available for US orders only.2/23/09 The Perfect Paper Share is now concluded. Thank you so much for participating!

Friday, January 23, 2009

Tonight . . . Mr. Brown is going to drive by my house and deliver to me my first box of goodies from the new catalog!! I can hardly wait. Some of the things I am looking forward to playing with are all kinds of new Sizzix products that I can use with my Big Shot machine. I also ordered the Circle Scissors. I love my Creative Memory Circle Cutter, but I decided to try this one out because it looks like there are a lot more size options - can't wait for that! To pass the time, while I wait for that big brown truck to pull up (I swear, I am his LAST stop of the day!) I decided to make this card:

Isn't it pretty?? I used a design layout similar to a card on the cover of the Stampin' Success, magazine that SU puts out for its demonstrators. I changed up the colors and instead of a Rub On, I used a sentiment from BoHo Backgrounds.

The stamped floral image is from a new set called Sweet Stems. I stamped it in watercolor paper and then used a blender pen with ink from the lid of an ink pad to color it in. When I want the color to be more intense for shading purposes, I just dab the blender pen into a drop of very concentrated color - sometimes, I put a drop of reinker on the lid so I have lots of shading options.

I layered the watercolor paper over a panel of Blush Blossom. I can't even recall that last time I had the paper out!! But, lo and behold, it looks fabulous with Tangerine Tango! Who'd of thought!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

It's so much fun to make Valentine cards for kids and Pun Fun has such great images for kids or for those who are kids at heart. I really like the Happy Heart Day sentiment from the stamp set called Happy Heart Day. Did I just repeat myself? lol! Anyway, a quick and easy card that also uses the stamp set called Love You Much. Stamp the trio of hearts and punch out with the new Heart to Heart punch. The little tiny heart balloon is popped up on a tiny piece of a dimensional.

Then, after a flurry of pink and red Valentines . . . I decided it was time for some non-traditional colors that would work great for little boys! Isn't this rocket card cute?? I used the retired Jersey Shore DSP because it just has so much pop. It was fun pulling out last year's Wild Wasabi "in" color, too. That was just such an awesome green.

And, one more! This card even has glitter on it! But it's still very cute and it will be great for a little boy. (Because deep down, boys like glitter, too, they just aren't as quick to admit it!) I used a Cuttlebug folder called Heart Blocks and used it in my Big Shot machine - worked out great! Then, I just swiped a Whisper White Craft ink pad over the top to make the hearts pop.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Valentine's Day is on the way and here are a couple of Valentines! Bella Rose is the perfect Designer Series Paper to use when you want a beautiful background of pink or red. I've been using Bella Rose DSP since it debuted and I still haven't tired of it. I'm so glad it "made the cut" and stayed in the Spring Summer Catalog. Pink Pirouette and Riding Hood Red really work well together.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Last week was my birthday . . . and as usual, it was cold! Negative 23 while I drove my oldest to school. That afternoon, while I drove my oldest back home, it was up to a noticeably warmer negative 5!! My other daughters and my little daycare kiddo planned a surprise Tea Party for me. Here's a picture of Cooper looking over the party table waiting for me to get home.

Cooper and his mommy bought this beautiful fruited cheesecake for me at Taste of Scandinavia. WOW - was it ever scrumptious! Cooper could hardly wait to dig in, but he was very patient while we took a few pictures. (Notice how warmly bundled I am? A tee-shirt underneath a wool sweater underneath a fleece jacket!)

Below is a close up - look at all those fabulous lingonberries . . . one of my most favorite fruits in all the world!

YUMMY!!

And, when I opened up my mailbox, I found a card with all the colors of SPRING!! What a day brightener! Thank YOU so much dear friend, Katherine Narog!!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

One of the sneak peek stamp sets that I've had a chance to play with is called "Game Night." I made this card for a swap that I participated in. I LOVE how it turned out. The dice and the chess piece are embossed in black . . . so awesome and shiny in real life. The card suites are punched with a 1/2" Circle Punch and then popped up with a dimensional. I stamped Game Night across the bottom with the aid of my ever trusty Stamp-a-ma-jig. How people stamp without it, I'll never know . . . but then, they probably are able to relax a whole lot easier than I am. I need a beach, a drink, a good book and three days of nothingness to relax! Needless to say, that doesn't come along too often. I've gotten used to my A-type personality as the years have chalked up and I guess I've been coping just fine! (And tools like the Stamp-a-ma-jig make me just giddy so I guess whatever it takes, huh?! lol)

Isn't this just the cutest card??? I couldn't believe my mailbox could hold this much sweetness! I am truly feeling the love! Thank you, Debra Tack, for the great card and your awesome friendship!! Your the bestest long distance friend ever!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

I'm a mom to three daughters who dance two to three times a week and even more often when they are in rehearsals. I sell quite a few of my cards to dance parents and during performance week, it's hard to keep the dance cards in stock so I'm building my stash early. Here is one I made recently. Isn't it pretty? I just love the pink and purple together and so do my girls!

Last evening the door bell rang and in walked my dear, sweet customer, CindySueEastenson with ALL KINDS of goodies for me! I am just can't get over all the fun stuff she had for me! A Hope Box that she made back in October for Breast Cancer Awareness, a peppermint pattie dream, and a clear nugget box with yummy chocolate all decorated for Christmas.

And then, she brought out the cupcakes!! WOW!! I am always so proud of myself if I actually bother to make homemade frosting and just LOOK at all these special touches she put on these cupcakes! The poinsettia cupcakes were made with peppermint gum for the flower petals. So darn clever!! And the snowman cupcakes were beyond cute!

Then, she gave me a cute snowman card with a little snowman party favor. I was just in awe! CindySue is so amazingly creative and always so willing to share. What a fun surprise and my heart is positively singing! Thank YOU, CindySue!

Then, as customers filed into my Retirement party class last night . . . one of them surprised me with CHOCOLATE! All fancy and tied with a bow. I can't tell you what a thrill that gave me! Thank you soooo much, Marlys!! So YUMMY! I'm really a lucky girl to have so much love in my life!

Monday, January 12, 2009

I have another new stamp set that I purchased as part of my New Catalog Preview order. It is called Petal Pizzazz. It is all about BIG RETRO FLOWERS! I've never had a BIG flower set so I felt quite justified in ordering this set . . . after all, it's my "job" to have the latest and greatest on display for my customers, right?? lol!

Did you notice that really huge silver eyelet? It's part of a package of new designer hardware that SU is coming out with. This eyelet is from a set called Hooray. It's just so totally cool!!

I got some happy mail today!! Look at what my stampin' friend Lynn sent to me! The mittens are just adorable . . . they are a felted material and oh so touchable!! Then, of course, the bubbles . . . or maybe snowballs . . . are also just begging to be touched. I'm thinking these must be snowballs, we had another 3" or so today and I don't go anywhere without my mittens!! Thank YOU, Lynn!!

Saturday, January 10, 2009

One of my favorite jumping off points to making a card is to seek inspiration in a magazine photo, a beautiful piece of fabric and even from my own work that I may have not looked at in a while. Today I went to SCS because I knew that Saturday is their Inspiration Challenge day. I was directed to This Site and to a couple of others like it featuring Tenugui. Tenugui are cotton printed towels evolving out of the Japanese culture. My grandmother always had a cotton printed calender hanging in her kitchen and when the year was over, it became a dish towel. I have no idea where she picked them up as I've never seen them except in my grandma's kitchen.

I just got a new stamp set in that I ordered during the free shipping special in December. It is called Bella's Bloom and when I noticed on of the cotton calenders looking much like the flower in Bella's Bloom, I was inspired!

I decided not to use pink and green but rather orange and green. I wanted to do something to match the soon to be retiring designer series paper called Haiku. I made a set of four matching 3x3 note cards and put them into a small holder.

Friday, January 9, 2009

This afternoon, I started getting caught up on all my blog reading. I have several . . . ok, MORE than several! . . . that I like to check out on a regular basis. But, the holidays were busy and the days after the holidays were busy and then I was just busy and you know how it goes. So, I started skimming and then I had to stop and play with my stamps because I got to this post on Kristina Werner's blog. I love her color challenges and this is what I came up with. The colors to play with were: Chocolate Chip, Pumpkin Pie, Baja Breeze, Old Olive and Whisper White.

I double layered the Top Note for some extra punch and I loved how it turned out. I had to include a little picture, too, of what I did on the inside. I've read on a couple of blogs that decorating the inside of your cards in now the "in" thing?! Hello . . . I've been decorating the inside of my cards for years!! I just think it gives your cards that finished touch. And besides . . . what is the very first thing people do when they see a card? They OPEN it up!! How disappointing if there is nothing on the inside!

Once a month I do a little demonstrator meeting at my house and we always have such a nice time. We take turns coming up with different project cards or techniques to share. The card above is one that my upline, Shanna McLaughlin, shared with us. Now, I wish I had the actual sample Shanna made because I know it was quite different than what I actually created. I am just terrible at following directions!

This card that uses the soon to be retiring set called Pretty Peony was shared by my downline, Katherine Narog. We used just a touch of glitter to create some sweet accents on this card. the ribbon edges are rounded with a scissors. Love that simple technique!

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Ahhh, just the feel of new paper in hand, the sight of a new stamp set waiting for its first inking. These are the simple things I treasure in my paper crafting world. Oh, and new toys!! Yes, yes . . . just look at that beautifully embossed and perfectly cut embellishment on the close up above! It was crafted from an "Embosslet" that I used in the Big Shot. It's called Sweetest Stem embosslet and it matches the Sweet Stems stamp set and some new DSP called Raspberry Tart. (How do they come up with such luscious names?) I think I would buy it just because I love the name so much!

I received this sweet little butterfly note in the mail from Nancy Beauchan. She is a SCS Birthday RAK girl. Isn't the bling on the butterfly just the cutest? Great eye-popping colors, too. I love sweet little surprises like that . . . Thank you, Nancy!

And look at this beauty! From my friend, Mary. She is such a dear one. Isn't that mini library clip adorable?? I can't believe I don't own any of those - that will have to be rectified soon! And, the sewing . . . will I ever be that brave?? Probably not, but what joy to receive such a beauty! Thank You, Mary!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

I LOVE being a SU demonstrator and having the opportunity to use Sneak Peak stamp sets. There is a new Level Two Hostess set called A Little Somethin' that is so darn cute and totally "punch ready!" Every image in the set coordinates with one of our punches. I decided to make a Thank You card using the image that coordinates with the 1 3/4" Circle Punch. I liked the scroll-like images . . . kind of reminded me of my all time favorite stamp set called Baroque Motifs, so of couse, I had to get that out as well and use it on my card. This one was a quick one to put together.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Look at this fabulous Big Shot card that Marlys sent to me!! Thank You so much, Marlys for this lovely card. I can't wait to show my customers what you can do with the Big Shot. Marlys came as a guest to one of my mp clubs last year and now she is a stamp club member herself. She has a wonderful, positive attitude and always makes our clubs and classes extra fun.

Every year I make a New Year Baby card. Not because I know someone who has had a baby . . . but because the new year is still just a baby!! I wonder what this year will bring . . . no one knows until it has a chance to grow up a bit. Meanwhile, aren't we all a bit more hopeful and looking a bit more positively towards the future? New babies do that to us, don't they. Happy New Year to you and your family and I wish you much joy and better times ahead.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

I don't even know how to start this post because my heart is bursting. I am so blessed by many friends in my life. Some of them are stamping friends and when they send me a hand crafted card, my heart sings! I just had to share some of the Holiday Treasures that my friends sent to me. Thank you, dear friends!

Julie has been my friend since 2000 . . . she is my dental hygentist! Going to the dentist is a lot more fun knowing that I will get to visit with Julie. We've shared many a card idea through the years at the dentist office!!

I met Pam at the park back in the late '90s. We b0th had little kids and we seemed to have a lot in common. She became one of my Creative Memories customers and then followed me into Stampin' Up. We are "ballet moms" and car pool together every week.

Pam introduced me to Marcy. Marcy also became a CM customer and now she is my SU customer. She is also a loyal Mary Kay user and since I also sell Mary Kay, well . . . it didn't take long and we also became good friends. Marcy has introduced me to some wonderful people through the years who have not only become good customers, but also good friends.

I met Kathy at a stamp club that I belonged to long before I ever became a SU consultant. She is a great stamper and we've shared a lot of stamping ideas with each other through the years. Whenever I deliver products to her, we always meet at a Caribou to do the exchange. She surprised me this Christmas with a Caribou card. She knows me pretty good!! lol!

The camera did not do this card justice! In real life . . . it is spectacular! My neighbor and dear friend, Lisle, is always encouraging me and telling me what a great job I am doing! She used a red mirror paper that looks just AWESOME with the gold embossing and dazzling diamond dust technique.

Jean is Lisle's sister. I love it when they come to my events together because it gives me a chance to see how close they are. I pray that my daughters stay as close to each other through the years as Jean and Lisle have. The angel is so sparkly in real life. Jean used some glitter pens and wow . . . just stunning!

Katherine is not only my dear friend, but also my very first (and only!) SUdownline! We met at church many years ago and then she moved . . . but we kept in touch through the years at Christmas time sending each other family letters and pictures. I invited her to my Open House when I started my SU business and the rest is history!!

And this last card is from Shanna, my SUupline! We also met at church. She was my SU demonstrator for a long, long time and a good one, too! I LOVED being in her stamp club and now I LOVE being her downline. She has so many good ideas and she is so sweet and down to earth. I feel very blessed to have her in my life. Thanks for everything, Shanna~!

Friday, January 2, 2009

Happy New Year!! I'm excited about the Fond Farewell Party I am planning for Tuesday, January 13 from 6:30pm - 9:30 and Friday, January 16 from 9:30 am to 2pm. I've picked my top five favorite retiring sets to highlight at this event and this card is one of the five designs that we will be creating! Isn't it pretty??

This card uses a technique called Direct to Paper. That's where you take your ink pad and rub it directly over your paper giving you a fabulous distressed look instantly! This card also highlights watercoloring . . . ever so easy with an Aqua Painter!

So, are you curious which retiring sets are my Five Favorites? Well, they are: Merry & Bright, Wonderful Words, A Light Unto My Path, With Gratitude, and Summer by the Sea. I also picked my favorite background, Canvas, to use on the Gratitude card.

Please RSVP by January 11 for the Tuesday night event, and by January 14 for the Friday morning session. The cost will be $15 for 10 cards. You can select a hand crafted card from my stash when you bring an item to donate to our local food shelf. Bring three or more items to the food shelf and select two hand crafted cards. Hope you can join us!